Billings back, but Saints wield axe

Jack Billings is back, but St Kilda have wielded the axe for their potentially circuit-breaking trip to Gold Coast.

The Saints have dropped youngsters Nick Coffield and Ed Phillips, big man Tom Hickey, and small forward Jack Lonie for Saturday’s match with the Suns – placed one ladder position above them in 15th. In addition to Billings key defender Jake Carlisle returns from suspension, ruckman Billy Longer is back in favour as he and Hickey continue to trade places, while David Armitage also gets another chance following 37 disposals the VFL.

Jack Billings

Photo: AAP

Alan Richardson’s side has just a draw to show from 11 games since round one, as a season that the club was optimistic would bring a return to the finals has turned dire. Richardson is contracted until the end of 2020 but significant change is expected in the football department, unless the Saints can mount a miraculous fightback in the second half of the season.

The Suns are in a similarly bleak position, having won just one game from their last nine, and have copped hidings at the hands of Geelong and Greater Western Sydney in the past two weeks. The loss to fellow expansion club the Giants prompted Suns chairman Tony Cochrane to call for a raft of AFL measures to help his club, which has failed to gain traction.

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Gold Coast have themselves made three changes, with Josh Schoenfeld, Jarryd Lyons and Sean Lemmens brought back. Jacob Heron, Will Brodie and Brad Scheer have all been dropped.

As revealed by theage.com.au, Billings’ stint in the VFL lasted just one week, with the No. 3 draft pick brought back after 54 disposals and three goals for Sandringham in a massive win over lowly Frankston last weekend. The Saints have resisted the temptation to include Josh Bruce or Nathan Freeman, both of whom played for the Zebras last weekend following injury lay-offs.

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At the other end of the ladder, top team West Coast have made four changes for the blockbuster against Sydney at the SCG. Young forward Jarrod Brander has been named to make his debut, while Chris Masten, Luke Shuey and Liam Ryan all return. Brendon Ah Chee and Mark Hutchings have been dropped, while Tom Barrass (back) joins Jack Darling (ankle) in missing through injury.

The Swans have recalled Aliir Aliir for just his second game this year, while former captain Kieren Jack is also back. Another ex-skipper, Jarrad McVeigh, is out with calf tightness, while Daniel Robinson has been dropped.

Fremantle welcome back experienced trio Stephen Hill, Aaron Sandilands and Nat Fyfe for Saturday’s date with Carlton at Etihad Stadium. Alex Pearce is out with a broken thumb, Michael Walters is suspended, and Scott Jones has been dropped. The Blues have called on Levi Casboult for his first game since round seven, with the key forward back following a broken rib. Nick Graham is recalled, while David Cuningham misses through a toe injury, and Cameron O’Shea has been dropped.

Struggling Adelaide still can’t call on Rory Sloane, with the injured star remaining sidelined for Saturday night’s crunch match against Hawthorn at the MCG. Patrick Wilson has been named for his first game, while Jordan Gallucci, Andy Otten and Kyle Cheney have been recalled.

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Luke Brown misses through injury while Lachlan Murphy, Darcy Fogarty and Cameron Ellis-Yolmen have been dropped. The Hawks have made one change, with Will Langford in for TimO’Brien.

As expected, Dustin Martin is back for Richmond’s clash with Geelong on Sunday, while Daniel Rioli has been named on the Tigers’ extended bench for what would be his first match of the season. The Tigers have already dropped Connor Menadue and Anthony Miles. The Cats are yet to make an unforced change, while Harry Taylor has been selected to return from injury in the VFL.